Bearing for use in sliding head restraint

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to bearings, guide sleeves and head restraint assemblies for automobiles.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head restraint assembly, comprising:
 a head restraint comprising a body and a first and second post extending from the body; 
 a first guide sleeve comprising a first bearing comprising a generally cylindrical body having a sidewall including a gap extending along an entire axial length of the generally cylindrical body, wherein the sidewall includes an undeformed portion and a plurality of wave structures extending radially from the undeformed portion, and wherein the first guide sleeve is slidably engaged to the first post; and 
 a second guide sleeve slidably engaged to the second post. 
 
     
     
       2. The head restraint assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second guide sleeve is identical to the first guide sleeve. 
     
     
       3. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide sleeve further comprises a locking mechanism coupled to the first bearing, and wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to engage the first post. 
     
     
       4. The head restraint assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the first post is adapted to be translated with respect to the locking mechanism along an adjustment length, and wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to engage the first post at any position along the adjustment length. 
     
     
       5. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bearing comprises a substrate and a low friction polymer layer coupled to the substrate. 
     
     
       6. The head restraint assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of wave structures extends through both the substrate and the low friction polymer layer. 
     
     
       7. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of wave structures is partially disconnected from the undeformed portion. 
     
     
       8. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide sleeve has an axial length, L GS , and wherein:
 each wave structure of the first guide sleeve has an axial length, L WS , that is no less than 0.25 L GS ; 
 the plurality of wave structures define at least two circumferentially extending rows around the first guide sleeve; or 
 a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       9. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wave structures extends radially inward. 
     
     
       10. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of wave structures includes an aperture. 
     
     
       11. The head restraint assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the aperture is in an open position prior to insertion of the first post into the first guide sleeve, and wherein the aperture is adapted to at least partially close during insertion of the first post into the first guide sleeve. 
     
     
       12. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide sleeve is adapted to have an assembled radial stiffness of no less than 1000 N/mm, and wherein the first post is adapted to be initially installed within the first guide sleeve upon application of a force of no greater than 100 N. 
     
     
       13. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide sleeve has a bi-modal radial stiffness profile. 
     
     
       14. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the wave structures comprises a sizing feature, and wherein the sizing feature comprises:
 an area having a reduced thickness; 
 a dimpled section; or 
 a combination thereof. 
 
     
     
       15. The head restraint assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the dimpled section comprises a corrugation, a perforation, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       16. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein first post has a smooth outer surface. 
     
     
       17. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wave structures includes a first group of wave structures extending a first distance from the undeformed portion and a second group of wave structures extending a second distance from the undeformed portion, wherein the first distance is different than the second distance. 
     
     
       18. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wave structures includes axially-staggered wave structures. 
     
     
       19. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first bearing is adapted to have a zero-clearance fit with the first post. 
     
     
       20. The head restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wave structures includes wave structures equally spaced apart around a circumference of the generally cylindrical body.